E46 Front Door Shells: Sedan/Wagon versus Coupe/Convertible/M3 and Side Identification

Supported checked service links are Sedan/Touring left 41518240071 and 41517008339 -> 41517034151, Sedan/Touring right 41518240072 and 41517008340 -> 41517034152, Coupe/Convertible/M3 left 41518241411 and 41517008127 -> 41517038091, and Coupe/Convertible/M3 right 41518241412 and 41517008128 -> 41517038092. The Sedan/Touring pair and Coupe/Convertible/M3 pair are parallel body applications, not interchangeable supersession families. Coupe/Convertible/M3 door brakes 51218204173 and 51217026384 remain production branches around the checked 06/2000 catalog boundary; no retrospective substitution is asserted without VIN and installed-part confirmation. Shared hinges do not make the different door shells, glass, seals, regulators, trim, latches, wiring or restraint equipment interchangeable.

Start with VIN, production date, exact body and side, then confirm the stamped or labeled shell identity and compare the window-frame or frameless opening, mirror mount, latch aperture, harness pass-through, trim and vapor-barrier provisions, intrusion structure, seam sealer and every mounting point. A bare shell normally omits hinges, shims, check strap and gasket, latch/actuator, handles and lock cylinder, glass, regulator and motor, guides, weatherstrips, mirror, speaker, harness and connectors, side-impact airbag, vapor barrier, trim panel, clips and fasteners unless each item is listed. Do not transfer restraint equipment or assume a complete used door is safe or electrically compatible from seller body shorthand. Inspect used panels for rust at seams and drain openings, folded or stretched edges, cracks, filler, repaint, prior welding, damaged intrusion structure, elongated hinge holes, broken check-strap area, water intrusion and connector damage. Door support, hinge alignment, latch/striker adjustment, frameless-glass indexing, airbag handling and any collision-damaged pillar or sill require current VIN-specific BMW repair information and qualified body/restraint work.

Prefer the exact new BMW service shell or an exact-number used original with a documented donor body, side, shell identity and repair history. A complete used door may reduce transfer work only when every included component, connector, airbag status, glass/regulator branch, paint and collision history is itemized; it is not proof of plug-and-play fit. Aftermarket skins or shells require manufacturer-backed body/side fitment, material and gauge, hinge/latch geometry, intrusion and glass/mirror provisions, corrosion protection and lawful repair documentation. Avoid universal or cross-body listings, clip-on cosmetic skins presented as structural shells, cut or rewelded hinge/latch areas, undeclared filler or corrosion, and any used or reset restraint component offered as a bypass.

Match VIN, body and side before ordering: Sedan/Touring shells 41517034151/152 are not Coupe/Convertible/M3 shells 41517038091/092. A bare shell omits glass/regulator, seals, mirror, latch/handles, hinges/check strap, wiring, airbag, trim and hardware unless itemized. Shared hinges do not prove complete-door interchange. Inspect rust, filler, welds, intrusion structure, hinge/check-strap and latch areas, drains and freight damage. Use current BMW procedures and qualified body/restraint work for support, alignment, frameless-glass indexing, airbags and collision-damaged structure. Seller price and availability observations are dated.

Supersede reviewed 15 unique research sources for this guide. 8 also appear above as a seller or official action and are not repeated here; 7 additional citations follow.

Research last verified 2026-07-28.

1. RealOEM — partxrefOpen source
2. RealOEM — showpartsOpen source
3. Bmwpartsdeal — front door hinge door brakeOpen source
4. Bmwpartsdeal — front door hinge door brakeOpen source
5. Bmwtechinfo bmwgroup — Repair Attachment A B41 03 16 V3Open source
6. Bmw co — BMW SA CS 2025 Q2 Accident Parts Price ListOpen source
7. BMW — BMW The 3 min.pdf.asset.1724220310157Open source